Girl's Violence: Criminality or Resilience?

This chapter examines girls’ violence and considers whether it is a risk factor or part of a strategy by some youth to sustain resilience. The authors show that violent behaviour by girls is “doubly condemned” as violence and an unfeminine expression of identity. Using narratives from girls themselves, the authors show that within gendered spaces that marginalise young women, violence can sometimes be a rational response that helps girls cope when there are limited choices.